Cosmetic procedures are gaining a lot of popularity with time as people seek to get rid of any imperfections they perceive in their looks. Previously, women made up the majority of those who opted for these procedures but recently, more and more men have also been getting cosmetic applications to look younger and improve their appearance.
The first and easiest solution to aesthetic imperfections is makeup. However, it takes a lot of practice to master it, and applying a full face of makeup every day can be time-consuming and tiring. Thankfully, alternatives ranging from temporary to semi-permanent to permanent are available for anyone who can afford them. Some require only a few hours of commitment, while others require you to go through a lengthy procedure that can take its toll.
Listed here are a few options available to you so you can learn about them and make an informed decision about which one to choose.
Lash Extensions
Getting eyelash extensions is a semi-permanent way to get fuller and longer lashes, so your eyes look more vibrant even without mascara or false eyelashes. Using a semi-permanent glue, each of your natural eyelashes is augmented with individual eyelash extensions that come in different materials like synthetic materials, mink, or silk fibers. You can choose from various lengths, colors, and curl patterns to achieve the look that suits you best. Most importantly, the process is entirely painless and mostly safe, with minimal risk of infection and irritation.
Botox
Among the many non-surgical facial enhancements being offered today, Botox is probably the most popular one. It gives the same effect as a facelift without all the risks of undergoing surgery. It is an FDA-approved toxin injected into the skin in small doses to smooth out wrinkles.
Botox can benefit people with fine lines on their faces, wrinkles on their foreheads, crow's feet around their eyes, nasolabial folds, or marionette lines. The effects can last from 3 months up to a year.
Facelift
A facelift is a surgical procedure that can greatly change the appearance of your face by reducing sagging and reversing signs of old age. You may be sedated during the procedure or given local anesthesia.
An incision is made and a flap of skin on each side of the face is pulled back. The tissue and fat below are altered to change the contour of the face to make it looks younger. Excess skin is removed and the flap is stitched close. Since it is a surgical procedure, it presents several risks, including scarring, hair loss, skin loss, and scarring.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected under the skin to give it a more youthful appearance. They are safer and much less intrusive than a facelift and can help smooth out skin without trimming anything away.
However, since the fillers consist of substances that our bodies can break down, the effects are temporary but can be augmented by regular injections. This procedure also has its own risks, including bruising, pain, itching, and tenderness. If a filler is mistakenly injected into a blood vessel, the risks are much more serious, which is why it is important to only work with licensed health care providers who know what they're doing.
Forehead/Brow Lift
When you age, your brows start to move downwards as the skin loses its elasticity. This can give you the appearance of tiredness. Getting a brow lift can greatly improve the appearance of your forehead, brow, and the area around your eyes, giving you a more relaxed and fresh look.
However, there is a chance that scarring might be visible after this procedure. You may temporarily lose sensation in the skin on your forehead and, in some cases, permanently. If your brows are lifted unequally, you can end up with asymmetric positioning of the brows, which may heal by itself or require additional surgery.
Lip Augmentation
If you have naturally thin lips, you can opt for lip augmentation to add volume to them. Fillers can help achieve a fuller look for your lips through injections, but the results will be temporary. For more permanent results, you can opt for surgical treatments where small incisions are made in and around your lips and implants are inserted. The risks include an allergic reaction to the fillers, infection, scarring, stiffening of the upper lip, and asymmetry.
Conclusion
Cosmetic procedures have come a long way in terms of cost and safety. Today, a variety of options are available that you can choose from, depending on what your concern is. Lash extensions can help you get a fuller fringe of eyelashes that will accentuate your eyes. Botox and dermal fillers can help you achieve a youthful look for a few months.
Facelifts and brow lifts are surgical procedures that are invasive but also very long-lasting. Lip augmentation is used to attain fuller and plump lips with varying degrees of permanence. Hence, there is a wide array of options to choose from, but all of them are quite worth the time and money they cost.
